Research ethics
York St John is committed to maintaining the highest ethical
standards in research carried out by its staff and students.
The role of the
University Research Ethics Sub Committee (URESC) is to support
the University’s research and academic activity by considering
policy and practice with respect to research ethics. From an
ethical standpoint, it considers proposals for research or other
research related projects that cannot be either approved at faculty
level or involves University-wide research. All
research projects carried out by staff and students must comply
with the University’s research ethics terms of reference.
It is the responsibility of the member of
staff or research student leading the project to consult the
relevant terms of reference and ensure compliance.
The URESC is responsible for:
- Matters of general principle and policy on research ethics, and
as necessary to refer such matters to the Research Committee
following appropriate consultation.
- Approval for proposals that include research with significant
ethical dimensions (that are unable to be approved at faculty
level).
- A framework of delegated authority
within which the likely benefits of research can be considered in
relation to the potential risks, with University values, and with
the highest standards of academic and professional integrity.
The full
terms of reference for URESC are also available.
Process for University Research Ethics
Approval
Initially, please complete the
Research Ethical Considerations Screening Checklist which will
enable you to identify whether your project will require full
research ethics approval. If you answer ‘Yes’ to
any of the questions on this checklist you should complete the
Submission of Proposed Research Project to the Research Ethics Sub
Committee proforma. All completed forms should be sent by
email to the Chair of the University Research Ethics Sub Committee
(Dr Simon Rouse).
If you have answered ‘No’ to all of the questions on the
checklist you should still submit the completed screening checklist
to the Chair.
You should ensure that your
application for research ethics approval is submitted at least 28
days in advance of the project start date.
Process for Faculty Research Ethics
Approval
There are four Faculty Research Ethics
Committees (FRECs) which deal with proposals relating directly to
the relevant Faculty. The terms of reference and points of
contact for each FREC are as follows:
Additional information/resources
Association of Research Ethics
Committees
The University is a member of the Association of Research Ethics
Committees (AREC) and receives copies of the Research Ethics
Review (official journal of AREC) which is published on a
quarterly basis.
To read the full articles from any of the past
copies please refer to the copies of the journal available in the
University Library (174.2805 RES).